‘Dead Man’s Shoes’,by Marion Todd is the ninth book in this consistently very enjoyable Scottish based series.In the plot this time, D.I.Clare MacKay and her team are tasked with stopping a serial killer who is responsible for the murders of young gay men.Police Intelligence reports that the Chain Lock Choker is moving their activity from the north of England to the St.Andrews area.There is the difficult task of surveillance of a large number of white vans in the search for the suspect,which heralds the start of a complex case.The latest installment of this series maintains the highest standards of fictional crime writing .The familiar well drawn characters continue to shine as they attempt to establish just who is responsible for acts of violence that could well be linked.As far as police procedural investigations go,this feels very realistic and is also so well thought out.Skillful storytelling that manages to be gritty ,gripping,human,warm hearted,and incredibly compelling all at once.
Many thanks to Canelo and NetGalley for a pre release copy.

Dead Man’s Shoes by Marion Todd is book 9 in the DI Clare Mackay series. It is published on 9 January. Thank you to Canelo Crime, Netgalley and the author for the advance copy to review. Word is out that a serial killer is on his way to St Andrews. When a young man is found murdered it is thought to be his first victim in town, but Clare is not so sure. And so begins an investigation. This was such a great story, full of tension and some surprising twists and I could feel the pressure building as the hunt progresses. Clare is very driven, and she has a great team behind her. Clare’s partner, DCI Alastair Gibson, is there for her but he has some news of his own. An old nemesis of Clare’s could also be involved. This is a fabulous read. If you haven’t read any of this series, and it is worth reading, it is best to start at book 1, See Them Run.

This was my first D.I. Clare MacKay series but won’t be my last. Although the ninth book in the series, it can be read as a standalone.
It gripped me from the start and I found it a very easy read.
A serial killer is in the loose and Clare’s team have limited time to catch the so called Chainlink Choker, who preys on gay men.
However when a body is found with strangulation marks, Clare is convinced it is the work of another killer.
Thanks to the publisher for an opportunity to read and review.

A definite five star read. I have always enjoyed Marion Todd’s books and she is on my must read list of authors. Recommended.

This is #9 in the DI Clare Mackay series but can easily be read as a standalone.

I love this series, definitely one of my favourite police procedurals.

Clare’s DCI tells her that there is a serial killer – nicknamed the Choker – operating in the north of England but it seems that he’s now moved up to Scotland and in Clare’s territory. The body of a man has been found with marks around his neck, almost certainly a victim of the Choker.

Once the investigation gets going, Clare discovers that the victim had links to local criminals, both male and female. Then another man is found, fortunately not dead but seriously injured, so Clare and the team have to find the perpetrator before there are any more deaths or casualties.

Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.

I don't know how I missed the previous book in this series, especially when Marion Todd is (for me) such a recognisable name. Anyway, we are where we are (I think I bought it for 99p so I just need to read it), and this series is far more about police procedural than the private lives of the characters.

DI Clare Mackay is hauled into the big boss' office to hear some disturbing news, a serial killer based in the North of England who rapes and murders gay men by choking them with a chain of some description (nicknamed the Choker by the tabloids) is thought to be in the St Andrews area, or arriving soon, based on some intel gleaned from the Dark Web. Evidence from the previous murders suggests he might be a typical white van man, possibly a painter and decorator, who typically strikes on a Friday or Saturday night, but with nothing else to go on a low-key approach is critical to prevent him from getting spooked.

A young man's body is found by a dog walker in woodlands, the circumstances are similar enough that Clare's bosses are convinced its the work of the Choker, but Clare isn't convinced. Has the Choker changed his MO? Is there a copycat? Or is his murder a coincidence? The murder victim is the youngest son of a woman who runs a local nightclub, one which local support groups claim is dealing drugs. Could this be the start of a turf war?

This was excellent. Loved it. Not cosy but not gruesome. Enough leg work and bureaucracy and small details to make it feel 'real'.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

I really like this series and this one did not disappoint with lots going on as usual. I liked the way the different aspects of the story tangled together and unravelled as the story progressed, although I thought some parts of one of the major crimes was brushed aside a bit too quickly especially after it was the reason for the involvement of so many of the characters. I would have liked to know more about why etc. It was good to get to know Max a little better in this one too. Marion has a great way of writing likeable characters.
Thanks NetGalley.

Another fantastic instalment in the Claire Mackay crime series. The story moves along briskly with Marion skilfully weaving all of the threads together to reach a nail-biting conclusion. Unlike other crime novels, I always find it difficult to guess the ending of Marion's books as there is always a satisfactory twist. i would highly recommend reading this series.

I really enjoyed this book and love the DI Clare Mackay Series, this is 9th book of the series and I couldn’t put it down, read this in under 5 days.

Love the characters and couple of characters from past books, it does mention a story from previous book as well.

I highly recommend you read this book as I’ve also pre-ordered this book as well. Thank you

DI Clare Mackay and her team are back with a bang!

When a young man turn up dead and others are being injured Clare and her team must race to find the truth before anyone else gets hurt.

A great read which I couldn't put down, having read all the books in the series I cannot wait for the next one.

4 stars

Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for this arc

Thanks to Marion and NetGalley for allowing me to read Dead Man’s Shoes before the publication date.
This is the latest book in the D.I. Clare MacKay series but it can be read as a standalone book.
It is an easy read whilst also being a page turner.
Marion’s down to earth style of writing mixes sarcasm and dry humour.
With only days to go, Clare’s team have to plan an operation to catch the Choker.
When the body of a young man is found with strangulation marks, Clare is adamant that this is not the M.O. of the choker. She faces a difficult time convincing her bosses, who have their own agenda.
Meanwhile she struggles to balance the demands of her work with the increasing needs of family.

A good and entertaining crime investigation. I enjoyed the friendliness of the police officers and their positive team work.
I have received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.

This was a strong ninth book in the Detective Clare Mackay series, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed from the previous eight books. Marion Todd has a strong writing style and was invested in the characters overall. It left me wanting to read more especially with how tense the situation was.

The latest in the Clare MacKay series, a journey I've undertaken from the very first book.
This series has never ceased to entertain and this book is no exception to that having grabbed my attention and kept it to the very end.
As in keeping with previous ones, as well as the main thrust of the investigation into the crime or crimes as the case may be, we again learn more about all of the recurring main characters. This book could be read as a one off and it wouldn't cause an issue to thew reader but if it is your first, I'm certain you'll very soon be wanting to read others.
Thanks again to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC in return for an unbiased review
Here's to the next instalment from Ms Todd.

DI Clare Mackay is alerted that a serial killer will be in her area. It is a huge task to man all the areas that seem likely for the killer to use.
Meanwhile, a body turns up shortly after, and Clare does not believe that the serial killer is responsible for this killing. She might be wrong, but her instincts are almost always right.

I did enjoy this book. The investigation was split into two, with a manhunt and a killing.
I like the team that Clare has, and the banter between her and Chris.
Clare's homelife is also not easy, as when there is a big case, she doesn't have time for her partner.

Cannot wait for the next in the series, this one was fast paced and riveting.

Thanks to Netgalley and Canelo for the opportunity to read this book.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

Great installment in the Clare Mackay series. i love catching up with all of these characters each year. A very satisfying epilogue. I've just now realized, though, that I have no idea what the title refers to: "shoes" had nothing to do with the story. Oh well, doesn't really matter. I did figure out most of the mystery, and you probably will too, which doesn't detract from an entertaining (as always) story. A quick, one sitting read.

Another great read from Marion Todd. As soon as you finish reading one of these books in the series of DI Claire Mackay, you’re ready for the next.
This book was difficult to put down. The pace of the story is a page turner … as your brain tries to “Work it out” by the time you get half way or three quarters through the book. You can’t. Marion’s writing keeps you gripped to the end.
Grab this book as soon as you can, get comfy in your chair as you settle in for a wonderful read.

3.5* rounded up.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. Here Clare's team is part of an attempt to catch a serial killer who has travelled up from the north of England called 'The Choker'. I found this rather slow to get going, and the narrative also suffered a bit from the focus regularly switching between the Choker and other cases which cropped up. The idea that a serial killer would ask for tips on gay hookup places on the dark web seemed a bit unlikely - surely you can just find that information on the regular internet easily.

This is a strong series, but I'm not sure this is one of my favourites.

Will DI Clare Mackay end up with blood on her hands? A young man is found dead near a nightclub. He has marks on his neck, the signature of the Choker, a killer who has been targeting gay men across the country. Now, it seems he's in DI Clare Mackay’s territory! Great read! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! It had great suspense, intriguing, action, murder, mystery, serial killers, a fantastic who done it and some crazy twists and turns! The story was very interesting! I highly recommend reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

Great to be back with Clare , Chris, the DCI (or Al) and Jim. Good old Jim.
Clare is really quite busy in this one, it feels like a lot going on, whilst she's not only dealing with several crimes, but home life too.
Having listened to a few of these on audio, I heard the whole going being narrated in my head, and it was very enjoyable, brings the characters to life.
Great pacing, interesting crime, and nice to catch up with life having moved on a bit for all our characters.
Looking forward to the next installment as always.